12 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes

Learning Benefits

Flavor boosters: Stir gravy into soups and stews to make them super savory. Or add a little water to the gravy and use as braising liquid for a moist, rich pot roast.

Tacos and enchiladas: Just fill tortillas with shredded turkey, then pile on your favorite toppings.

Stuffing or Dressing:

Frittata breakfast: Beat 12 eggs and add 1½ cups of dressing. Pour into a cast-iron skillet and bake, covered with aluminum foil, until the center is set, about 45 minutes.

Crazy-good croutons: Dressing can easily revert to delicious croutons. Just spread dressing into a thin layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until dried. Crumble and seal in an airtight bag.

Mashed potatoes:

Wonder waffles: Spread mashed potatoes in a ½"-thick layer in a waffle iron that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Close the iron and cook 15 to 20 minutes. The potato waffle will be crispy and ready for toppings like sour cream, cheese, or salsa.

Loaded potato soup: In a large Dutch oven, sauté diced onions, celery, and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant. Add mashed potatoes. Stir in milk until a thick but soupy consistency is reached. Simmer until heated through. Top with your favorite baked potato toppings like crumbled bacon, green onions, and cheese.

Cranberry sauce:

Fruity vinaigrette: Combine ¼ cup cranberry sauce (either canned or homemade will work) with 2 tablespoons apple-cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, and ½ cup olive oil in a jar with a tight lid. Cover and shake until the ingredients are incorporated. Serve as a salad dressing.